Financial assistance scheme opens for travel agents

First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill have announced the opening of a Covid support scheme for travel agents experiencing difficulties as a result of the pandemic.

The Travel Agents (Coronavirus) Financial Assistance Scheme 2021 is now open for applications and support offered will be via a one-off grant payment of £10,000 for travel agents in Northern Ireland operating from commercial premises, and a one-off single payment of £3,500 for self-employed travel agents working from home in Northern Ireland. 

Travel agents with more than one premises may apply for a payment for each premises.

The scheme closes on Friday 26 March at 5pm, with all supporting evidence to be provided by 5pm on Sunday 28 March.

First Minister Arlene Foster said: “I am very pleased that the support scheme for travel agents announced by The Executive last week, is now open for applications. I would urge all eligible businesses to make sure their application is submitted before the set deadline.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “This scheme will help alleviate the financial pressures being felt by travel agents as a result of the pandemic. This is a time limited scheme and I would encourage eligible businesses to ensure they apply before the closing date.”

The Executive Office has been engaging with the travel agents sector to allow businesses to prepare in advance of the scheme opening.

Full details on eligibility and how to apply are to be found on www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/travelagentscheme

Notes to editors: 

1.  Travel Agents meeting the following criteria will be eligible for the flat payment of £10k; that is, they must:

• be operating from commercial premises in Northern Ireland as a travel agent;
• have been operating from 5 March 2020 to 12 March 2021;
• intend to continue operating; and
• have suffered financial hardship as a travel agent as a result of the outbreak of coronavirus

2.  Businesses that operate from multiple premises will be able to apply for funding for each of the premises from which they operate in Northern Ireland.

3.  Homeworkers meeting the following criteria will be eligible for the flat payment of £3500.  All eligible applicants must:

• be operating from home in Northern Ireland as a self-employed travel agent; such people will have a commercial agreement with a parent company that has its own company registration, trade body membership and ATOL licence;
• have been operating from 5 March 2020 to 12 March 2021;
• intend to continue operating; and
• have suffered financial hardship as a travel agent as a result of the outbreak of coronavirus.

4.  For the purposes of the scheme a “travel agent” means a person who:

• is a member of a travel regulatory body or the holder of an Air Transport Organiser’s Licence or has some other relevant qualification acceptable to TEO; or
• has a commercial agreement to deliver travel agent services with a company that is a member of a travel regulatory body or the holder of an Air Transport Organiser’s Licence or has some other relevant qualification acceptable to TEO.

5.  Regulations needed to make these payments were made on 18 March and are available at www.legislation.gov.uk

6.  For information on guidance, FAQs and Data Protection, visit www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/publications/travel-agents-coronavirus-financial-assistance-scheme-2021

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